Italy · Cooking

Icons of Italy: Signature Cooking Experience with Carbonara, Pesto Making, Lasagna & Sicilian Cannoli

5 Hours Round trip from Florence Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Prepare carbonara, lasagne al ragù, gnocchi with homemade pesto, and Sicilian cannoli
  • 02 Learn step by step from an expert local chef in a small-group setting
  • 03 Visit Sant'Ambrogio Market on morning departures except Sundays and Bank Holidays
  • 04 Enjoy the dishes you create for lunch or dinner
  • 05 Includes unlimited wine and water during the experience
  • 06 Take home a digital recipe booklet and graduation diploma

Discover the flavors of Italy in Florence with a hands-on cooking experience dedicated to some of the country’s most iconic dishes. Guided by an expert local chef, you’ll learn traditional techniques as you prepare carbonara, lasagne al ragù, gnocchi with homemade pesto, and Sicilian cannoli from scratch.

Morning departures also include a visit to Sant'Ambrogio Market, where you can explore one of Florence’s most authentic food markets and select fresh ingredients alongside your chef. After the class, sit down to enjoy the meal you’ve created with wine and water in a warm, convivial setting.

Ideal for food lovers and curious travelers alike, this small-group experience offers a delicious introduction to Italian culinary traditions, with recipes and skills you can take home with you.

Discover the flavors of Italy in Florence with a hands-on cooking experience dedicated to some of the country’s most iconic dishes.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Not included
Transport Not included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
City Florence
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Sant'Ambrogio Market

For those who choose the morning tour (except on Sundays), a delightful experience awaits. They will have the opportunity to meet their expert chef, who will guide them through a vibrant local market. There, they will handpick the freshest ingredients, carefully selecting the best produce to be used in their hands-on cooking class, ensuring an authentic and flavorful culinary experience.

CiaoFoodies Hub

After the market visit, they will follow their chef into the kitchen, where they will take part in an exclusive hands-on masterclass. Under the guidance of their expert instructor, they will uncover the secrets behind the art of preparing exquisite Italian dishes. From mastering traditional techniques to discovering the perfect balance of flavors, this immersive culinary experience will allow them to create authentic recipes while deepening their appreciation for Italy’s rich gastronomic heritage.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Florence 1 city · 5 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Small Group Tour
  • Expert Local Chef
  • Cooking Masterclass based on four iconic of Italian Tradition (Carbonara, Lasagne, Pesto and Sicilian Cannoli)
  • Pesto Making Experience
  • Ingredients needed to prepare all the dishes
  • Use of apron and cooking utensils
  • Unlimited wine
  • Water
  • Visit of Sant'Ambrogio grocery market with a professional chef (only included in the morning departure apart from Sundays and Bank holidays)
  • Food and local products tasting
  • Lunch or Dinner depending on the departure selected
  • Graduation Diploma
  • Digital recipe booklet, so you can recreate them once you're home
  • Only in English to preserve the quality of the experience

MENU'

  • Fettuccine alla Carbonara, a timeless symbol of Roman cuisine prepared with eggs and bacon
  • Lasagne al Ragù, one of Italy’s most beloved classic dishes prepared with meat and béchamel sauce
  • Gnocchi with Homemade Pesto, inspired by the authentic Ligurian tradition and prepared with basil, garlic and pine nuts
  • Sicilian Cannoli, filled to your taste with ricotta, pistachio, chocolate, and more

What's Not Included

Visit of Sant'Ambrogio Market in the afternoon tour, on Sundays and on Bank Holidays

Know before you go

  • STROLLER OR PRAM ACCESSIBLE
  • PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEARBY
  • Vegetarian option available
  • The menu may vary slightly depending on ingredient availability and seasonality
  • Please inform us in advance of any allergies or food intolerances, and we will do our best to accommodate you
  • Comfortable shoes are recommended
  • For safety reasons, this experience is not recommended for people with celiac disease or children under six years old
  • Afternoon options, all Sunday options and bank holidays options do not include a visit to Sant'Ambrogio Market and have a total duration of 4 hours

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Florence, IT
Tour start
Florence, IT
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 5 hours finish where they began, in Florence.

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